The Aegean Pirates
[b33]

The Aegean Pirates

The History of 15 Squadron SAAF in WW2

By Stefaan Bouwer and Gerald Thompson

Along with 3 other bomber/reconnaissance units, 15 Squadron was formed in September of 1939 and stationed at Wingfield in Cape Town. Each squadron was allocated 6 officers, 12 enlisted men and 3 former SAA Ju 86’s. On 2nd December 1939 the Squadron made the first intercept of a enemy vessel, namely the SS Watussi and played an important part in the scuttling / sinking of this freighter.

The next episode deals with the Abyssian campaign in the Horn of Africa, where the SADF/SAAF played a leading role in defeating the Italian forces.

The book concludes its historical narrative with a discourse of 15 Squadrons real claim to fame as the “Aegean Pirates”, where equipped with Baltimores (in temperate and maritime schemes) they made Axis movements unsafe in this sphere of the Mediterranean, after which they move on up into Italy. It is here that 15 Squadron became particularly noted for its persistent night attacks, which plagued both the Italian and German forces. During the last stages of the war, the Squadron assisted with the harassment of anti-communist Cossack forces fleeing the advancing Russians in April of 1945.

This volume includes an extensive appendix which includes a detailed list of all aircraft types flown, serial numbers, a discourse on the camouflage schemes employed, which are apply illustrated by a series of photos (black and white, as well as colour) and colour profiles by well known SAAF aviation artist, Piet van Schalkwyk.

260 pages Hard bound.

R395.00